When I heard the statement: Industrial design doesn't impact sales beyond the product. I saw a challenge and an opportunity. Ahead of an up coming pivotal line review, I introduced a new kind of retail experience: a point-of-purchase robot that didn’t just sit on a shelf—it moved, engaged, and sold. It educated customers in real time, guided them to the right product, expanded presence beyond the shelf, maintained the store environment, and even reduced theft by delivering items directly to checkout. It transformed retail from passive display into active participation.

It sparked conversations, built credibility

But the real impact wasn’t the robot—it was the shift in thinking. It proved that design can influence behavior, create demand, and solve real business challenges in unexpected ways. It sparked conversations, built credibility, and showed our partners that we weren’t just selling products—we were investing in their success. In that moment, design became more than an output. It became a catalyst for growth.

Current landscape

Robots interacting with customers

Increasing acceptance

Increasing products that are coming to market:

Food delivery

Security and public service

Grocery inventory

Rumba home cleaning

Parking assist, lane assist and self driving

Why? What Problems are addressed?

Increased sales

Limited shelf space

Partnership with retail customers

Product display issues like lighting

Product information in isle communication

Location in store lock isle door isle and front of store

Product inventory and security

In-Store Customer Interaction

Entrance: Welcomes customers as they enter, introducing featured products and setting the tone for the shopping experience

Greeting Customers: Engages shoppers with a friendly, informative presence—offering guidance without pressure

Store Aisles: Moves seamlessly throughout the store, bringing product awareness directly to customers instead of waiting to be discovered

Hardware Aisle: Provides targeted education where decisions are made—explaining features, benefits, and use cases in real time

Roaming the Store: Dynamically navigates high-traffic areas, adapting to customer flow and maximizing visibility and engagement

Showing just some of the many design and configuration options

The future of retail isn’t displayed—it’s experienced. And design makes it happen.